By T. Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – For the first time since the early 1970s area residents will get the smallpox vaccine. About 20 employees of local health departments will get the shots. It's part of a nationwide effort to immunize health care workers if there's a bioterrorist attack.
St. Louis County Health Director Jackie Meeks says the workers who are getting the shots tonight have all done their homework and know about all of the potential side effects.
Once the employees of government health departments get the shots the county will immunize employees at local hospitals. In all, Meeks says about 900 people will be vaccinated.